Minister of Trade and Industry Parks Tau says the National Gambling Policy Council (NGPC) is fast-tracking new gambling legislation and tighter advertising rules to strengthen oversight of South Africa’s gambling industry.
The move comes amid ongoing concerns about rising gambling addiction and the growing impact of both legal and illegal gambling in the country. It was reported that illegal online gambling is draining South Africa’s economy of more than R50 billion a year, with unlicensed offshore operators accounting for nearly two-thirds of all online gambling activity.
This figure is attributed to warnings from the South African Bookmakers’ Association (SABA), which said illegal online gambling has reached crisis levels and is harming consumers, legitimate operators, and the broader economy.
SABA CEO Sean Coleman said that while public debate has often focused on the growth of legal online betting, the bigger threat is the “existential crisis” caused by illegal offshore operators targeting South African consumers without oversight.
In a parliamentary reply, Tau said the NGPC has met twice since July 2025 to review gambling-related challenges and develop policy responses aimed at addressing gambling addiction and improving regulation.
He said the council has also examined the effects of gambling advertising on people’s likelihood of gambling, including its contribution to addiction. Tau added that the National Gambling Board is working with provincial authorities to develop uniform norms and standards, which will then be implemented as part of licensing conditions.
Tau said, “The resolution was to fast-track the development of a Bill to address gambling challenges in South Africa.”
He added that the NGPC has established a Gambling Technical Committee, tasked with reviewing the National Gambling Amendment Bill, 2018. The goal is to ensure that both the National Gambling Act and provincial laws are addressed properly, supporting cohesion and harmonization in gambling policy, legislation, and enforcement across South Africa.
“The department has also noted that advertisement has a major role in enforcing the enticing perceptions on gambling; therefore, Regulations on gambling advertising are being developed parallel to the Bill to strengthen section 15 of the Act and Regulation 3 of the National Gambling Regulations, 2004.”
